❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about the health impacts of Alcoa's operations and the Kwinana Industrial Air Buffer Zone, focusing on water safety, commercial agriculture, childcare facilities, and dust exposure. The response provides information on monitoring, regulations, and general health advice.
AnsweredQoN 4843Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In regard to the decision recently to extend the Kwinana Industrial Air Buffer Zone made by the Western Australian Planning Commission in September 2010 -
(1) Does the Department of Health recommend that residents in the affected area and surrounds drink and cook with rainwater from their rainwater tanks?
(2) What independent monitoring and long-term assessments of the health impact of Alcoa’s operations in the area are presently taking place?
(3) How has the Department of Health satisfied itself that it is safe to grow vegetables commercially in the area (some of which is exported) for human consumption?
(4) Is it safe to operate child care facilities (like family day care in the area)?
(5) Have any independent impact statements and/or assessments been conducted regarding the current and projected impact of Alcoa’s operations in the area?
(6) If yes to (5), please provide details.
(7) What independent assessments of Alcoa’s operations in the area are planned in the future?
(8) What are the known health risks in the affected area?
(1) Does the Department of Health recommend that residents in the affected area and surrounds drink and cook with rainwater from their rainwater tanks?
(2) What independent monitoring and long-term assessments of the health impact of Alcoa’s operations in the area are presently taking place?
(3) How has the Department of Health satisfied itself that it is safe to grow vegetables commercially in the area (some of which is exported) for human consumption?
(4) Is it safe to operate child care facilities (like family day care in the area)?
(5) Have any independent impact statements and/or assessments been conducted regarding the current and projected impact of Alcoa’s operations in the area?
(6) If yes to (5), please provide details.
(7) What independent assessments of Alcoa’s operations in the area are planned in the future?
(8) What are the known health risks in the affected area?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
22 November 2011
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Health
Response time
35 days
(1) The Department of Health (DOH) in general advises that households that rely on rainwater tanks as their main source of drinking water should observe good tank hygiene practices and regularly test their water supply. Sampling undertaken within the new buffer zone has not found any contamination of rainwater by heavy metals.
(2) None. The buffer is standard planning practice designed to separate industry from residential estates to protect public health from industrial emissions from all industry in the area.
(3) Vegetables grown for commercial purposes are tested for contaminants and natural toxicants under the Food Standards code. It is normal practice for the DOH to be notified when guidelines are exceeded. Dust analysis has not found contamination by heavy metals.
(4) The DOH's standard advice is that child health care facilities or child day care centres should not operate inside any industrial buffer zone. Where such facilities already exist due to previous planning decisions, the DOH advises steps to improve indoor air quality such as installing or upgrading air conditioning systems that can help reduce overall exposure to dust.
(5 - 6) Yes. Air quality modelling and monitoring of Alcoa's dust emissions has been undertaken. Environmental consultants undertook this work and concluded that dust from the drying ponds may impact areas within 2.0 km. The magnitude of dust impact was found to decrease with distance from the drying ponds.
(7) None by the DOH. The Department of Environment and Conservation, as the State regulator, has the responsibility to ensure Alcoa meets its environmental obligations in terms of pollution control.
(8) Health risks for the area are those normally associated with exposure to dust. Some individuals, particularly those with asthma or pre-existing respiratory conditions, may be adversely affected by dust while others will not be affected despite living in the same area for many years. Individuals vary in their sensitivity to dust; therefore, anyone concerned that dust from the area may be having an adverse impact on their health should seek a medical opinion from their doctor regarding managing their health.
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(2) None. The buffer is standard planning practice designed to separate industry from residential estates to protect public health from industrial emissions from all industry in the area.
(3) Vegetables grown for commercial purposes are tested for contaminants and natural toxicants under the Food Standards code. It is normal practice for the DOH to be notified when guidelines are exceeded. Dust analysis has not found contamination by heavy metals.
(4) The DOH's standard advice is that child health care facilities or child day care centres should not operate inside any industrial buffer zone. Where such facilities already exist due to previous planning decisions, the DOH advises steps to improve indoor air quality such as installing or upgrading air conditioning systems that can help reduce overall exposure to dust.
(5 - 6) Yes. Air quality modelling and monitoring of Alcoa's dust emissions has been undertaken. Environmental consultants undertook this work and concluded that dust from the drying ponds may impact areas within 2.0 km. The magnitude of dust impact was found to decrease with distance from the drying ponds.
(7) None by the DOH. The Department of Environment and Conservation, as the State regulator, has the responsibility to ensure Alcoa meets its environmental obligations in terms of pollution control.
(8) Health risks for the area are those normally associated with exposure to dust. Some individuals, particularly those with asthma or pre-existing respiratory conditions, may be adversely affected by dust while others will not be affected despite living in the same area for many years. Individuals vary in their sensitivity to dust; therefore, anyone concerned that dust from the area may be having an adverse impact on their health should seek a medical opinion from their doctor regarding managing their health.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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